Lawns feel like so much work these days. But a healthy, lush, green lawn is one part of curb appeal you just can’t beat. And it’s such a nice welcome home after a hard day’s work. 

So why do we make fertilizing, maintaining, and aerating our lawns so complicated? Because we forgot about the role of the lowly earthworm. 

Where Are the Earthworms?

A friend asked me last month why we never see earthworms after it rains anymore? Our GenX childhoods were reminiscent of the smell after it rains, watching the slimy worms come up to the surface. Some people even took them as bait for fishing.

“But when it rains, the surface is moist enough for worms to survive and remain hydrated. For a few species, they can more easily move about and find mates.” The Nature Conservancy

But now we don’t really tend to the foundation of our lawns: the soil. We may have dirt compacted and sod rolled out like carpet on a subfloor. But that isn’t nature’s way.

SoilLife.org, for example, has made it their mission to bring awareness to the ecosystem of soil. We water the soil, not the plant, We fertilize the soil, not the plant. And earthworms need moisture to breathe. They just love to move through the soil, eating to their heart’s delight, pooping out great nitrates, and all the while aerating the lawn for us.

Earthworms Are Nature’s Lawn Maintenance

Not only do earthworms naturally fertilize the soil, but they also help control thatch. Can you imagine never having to de-thatch your lawn? That would be amazing. It can be that way if you take care of your soil, not just the covering (lawn).

“Earthworms are talented decomposers that help control thatch buildup in your yard. Thatch is the accumulation of dead and living organic material between the soil’s surface and the grass blades.” LawnLove

Their cute little earthworm holes not only bring oxygen and other gases throughout the soil, but those passages (and less compact soil) allow for deeper root growth. 

There really is no downside to earthworms in your lawn’s soil.

How Do I Add Earthworms to My Lawn?

If you’re totally convinced that you should add earthworms to your lawn, a great way to do that is to buy earthworms. Most garden centers sell them and they’re not hard to get since they’re used with home-composting. 

“You can actually buy worms, but we strongly advise going the natural route. It’s simple: Keep your soil moist and aerated, add organic matter like compost or mulch, and go easy on pesticides.” LawnStarter

If you want to do the natural route, you can. Add some mulching to your lawn and begin pesticide-free maintenance. Think of it as earthworm hospitality. Create an environment for them and they’ll come. 

“Just adding organic matter to the soil last year helped. I was digging around and there are SO MANY WORMS! Big fat nightcrawlers, smaller (babies?) ones… Loads of them!!” Reddit

Love Your Chain-Link Fence

Don’t worry, you can easily trim your healthy lawn against a chain-link fence with the Green Link System. Chain link fences may not always be the first choice people consider, but it’s certainly one of the most practical – and they come in so many different colors.

With the Green Link System, you’ll be able to easily maintain, edge, and trim your lawn against your new chain-link fence.

Green Link is a game-changer for chain-link fences. Want more information?